Thousands protested in Serbia on Monday against the controversial resumption of a lithium mine by Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto, N1 Serbia news channel reported.
Chants of “Rio Tinto, go away” filled the streets of the towns of Arandjelovac, Shabac, Kraljevo and Ljig, where demonstrations were held against the Serbian government’s approval for the mining project near the western town of Loznica.
Noting the absence of an antidote to pollution, Arandjelovac chemistry professor Karolina Aleksandrovic commented sadly, “We are the only antidote.”
In Kraljevo, demonstrator Nebojsa Kovandzic criticised the authorities, saying "they are commandeering our institutions, rivers, forests for their self-interest, not for the citizens’ benefit."
On 19 July, a week after Belgrade’s green light for the mine’s resumption, Serbia and the EU signed a partnership to ensure the supply of lithium, deemed vital for the ecological transition.
Several demonstrations have occurred over the past two months opposing the project, notably in Belgrade. However, the recent mass participation of local residents was highlighted by Archive of Public Gatherings, a Serbian NGO.
The high level of mobilisation from local communities had not been seen previously in Serbian protest movements, the NGO noted.
